TAS rugby: Rd 4 wonders revealed here
TAS First XV rugby: Who were the top performers from round 6? Find out here as a heavyweight bout looms.
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The TAS First XV Rugby competition was hotting up with a bumper clash between St Columban’s and John Paul College looming in round five.
In round four, JPC warmed their engines with a 55-0 shut-out win over CHAC, while St Columban’s returned from a bye with a morale-boosting 30-7 defeat of Canterbury College.
St Paul’s and WestMAC drew 19-all on WestMAC’s annual Pink Day gala celebration.
ROUND 4 SCORES
JPC 55 DEF CHAC NIL
ST COLUMBAN’S 30 DEF CANTERBURY 7
ST PAUL’S AND WESTMAC DREW 19-ALL
ROUND 4 WONDERS
Tim Palupe (Canterbury)
Young veteran Palupe has delivered in spades so far this season as an experienced forward leader for Canterbury.
It was more of the same on Saturday against strong opposition with prop Palupe setting the tone with his outstanding work on and off the ball.
Ma’afu Takai (Canterbury)
Takai was a rock in the centres, repelling St Columban’s attacking weapons with courageous defence.
He also rucked the ball up with vigour when needed.
Harvey Coates (Canterbury)
Lock Coates was busy as a bee, winning the collisions, getting turnovers and pinching ball in the lineout.
He had a first class showing.
Hamish Campbell (St Paul’s)
The Pumas lock played out a wonderful game, his ball carrying destructive and defence something to behold.
Oliver Rauchle (St Paul’s)
Rauchle had another match to remember despite being one of the younger players in the side.
His work rate caught the eye, as did his powerful leg drive when defenders latched on.
The Brothers boy just knows how to play rugby.
Liam Payne (St Paul’s)
Fleet footed outside back Payne scored a ripper and had nice touches throughout as the Pumas mounted pressure.
Is there anyone more dangerous in the competition returning the ball from a kick?
Mason Plummer (WestMAC)
Plummer held down his edge like his life depended on it.
He scored a try as well on a day where he made the most of his opportunities in open space.
Fox Rees (WestMAC)
Coming on at flanker to replace WestMAC’s captain Connor Purvey, Rees brought the energy and the intensity on defence which gave WestMAC a much needed lift when the game was in the balance.
Lincoln Booth (WestMAC)
WestMAC’s blindside flanker was tireless, Booth making strong defensive plays left, right and centre to help Rees, Plummer and teammates contain their rivals.
He was a great communicator and held the lantern for his team on the defensive end.
Steven Blanassi (JPC)
The JPC flanker put on a clinic at the breakdown.
An “absolute breakdown machine” according to coach Josh Kron, Blanassi ensured JPC retained possession at every breakdown while being a disrupter on defence.
Kobe Lawrance (JPC)
It was only a matter of time before kingmaking flyhalf Lawrence got into his groove.
With some beautiful individual efforts setting the match alight early, Lawrence got more confident as the game went on.
The second year Firsts flyhalf got his side on the scoreboard, his classy playmaking opening things up for JPC’s livewire outside backs.
Oliver Thompson (JPC)
There’s nothing better than fast and accurate service and that is what JPC scrumhalf Thompson provided for 70 minutes at the weekend.
His passing from the base of the ruck allowed JPC to play up-tempo and keep CHAC under pressure.
He also raised his hand up on defence.
DJ Gray (JPC)
Gray was up to his usual tricks, breaking the line and proving pivotal in opening up space and then connecting with his support players to get JPC in prime positioning to barge over and score.
From start to finish, Gray was a red alert player consistently busting through CHAC’s defensive line.
His buddy Kingbenjamin Swirling was dominant at the set piece and hard to stop with every touch as well.
Joey Hona (CHAC)
Hona was on a mission against last weekend, capping off a superb start to the season where he has been CHAC’s out and out best performer.
He was relentless on the defensive end and did not take a backward step when in attack.
Jack Grant (CHAC)
Grant took a leaf out of Hona’s book and made an impact with his hard hitting tackles.
He stuck most of them and against a bigger side, you couldn’t help but be impressed with his willingness to get his hands dirty.
ROUND 5 FIXTURES
JPC V ST COLUMBAN’S
CHAC V ST PAUL’S
ORMISTON V CANTERBURY
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